Octo 40mm HOB Micro Bubble Stopper
SKU: ROP-BS-40
- Micro-Bubble Elimination: Engineered specifically to slide over the water discharge or intake plumbing, trapping and bursting micro-bubbles before they escape into your display.
- Targeted Model Calibration: Designed as a precise, direct-fit replacement component for heavy-duty Reef Octopus hang-on skimmers, including the Classic 2000-HOB, BH2000, BH300, BH300F, and BH800SS lines.
- Dual-Purpose Strainer Protection: Functions simultaneously as a protective mechanical intake or output basket, blocking small fish, snails, and loose macroalgae from invading the plumbing.
- Open-Cell Sponge Integration: Designed to house form-fitting, 40mm open-cell diffuser sponges that break up rushing exit currents and disperse concentrated water sheets.
- Heavy-Duty ABS Composition: Molded from premium, impact-resistant ABS plastic built to handle high-turnover saltwater friction without warping or cracking.
- Snug Slip-Fit Connection: Friction-fit 40mm connection collar pushes straight onto factory metric plumbing, requiring no messy glues, tape, or plastic hardware.
Reef Octopus 40mm Hang-On-Back Micro Bubble Stopper & Intake Basket
The Reef Octopus 40mm HOB Micro Bubble Stopper & Intake Basket (SKU: OCT-BS40 / ROP-BS-40) is a specialized, dual-purpose filtration accessory engineered to solve the most common aesthetic frustration associated with heavy-duty hang-on-back external protein skimmers: micro-bubble saturation. While large external hang-on skimmers are highly efficient for larger aquariums without independent sumps, their high-flow output plumbing runs dump processed water straight back into the main display. During initial break-in windows, or after introducing filter pads and additives, fine micro-bubbles escape the internal baffles and cascade into your tank. The 40mm Bubble Stopper snaps directly onto your plumbing, serving as a mechanical trap that breaks up these unsightly bubble clouds before they blur your view.
Molded from heavy-wall, marine-grade black ABS plastic, this genuine factory component functions simultaneously as a protective intake or water outlet strain basket. Depending on your specific skimmer model configuration, it can be utilized on the intake side to prevent livestock hazards or on the outlet side to diffuse rushing return sheets. The precision-slotted profile allows high-volume water loops to pass without adding restrictive backpressure, while forming a physical barrier that keeps curious snails, small fish, and floating macroalgae out of the pump system. Optimized for a direct, glueless slip-fit installation over standard Reef Octopus 40mm metric plumbing, this strainer houses an open-cell diffuser foam insert. As water flows through the sponge matrix, bubbles are slowed down and forced to pop inside the chamber, restoring crystal-clear visibility to your display.
Key Features
Crystal Clear Display Protection: Stops fine micro-bubbles from clouding the water column, protecting your corals from gas-pocket irritation.
Perfect Metric Alignment: Specifically calibrated to match the larger 40mm metric tubes found on high-capacity Reef Octopus HOB skimmers.
ReefLabsLivestock Safety Guard: Slotted basket design creates an effective perimeter shield to protect small reef inhabitants from open pipe suctions.
Glueless Slip Installation: Simply slide the basket onto your existing discharge or intake plumbing during routine cleaning loops—no tools required.
Genuine OEM Build Quality: Manufactured directly by Reef Octopus to ensure factory tolerances and complete compatibility with stock replacement 40mm foam inserts.
Verified Skimmer Compatibility
Reef Octopus Classic 2000-HOB (CLSC-2000HOB)
Reef Octopus BH-2000
Reef Octopus BH-300 / BH-300F
Reef Octopus BH-800SS
What’s Included:
(1) Reef Octopus 40mm HOB Micro Bubble Stopper / Intake Basket
CoralVue Outlet & Parts Store(Note: Replacement open-cell 40mm diffuser sponges and skimmer assemblies are sold separately)
Technical Specs:
Official Model Name: 40mm Micro Bubble Stopper / Intake Basket
SKU / Part Number: OCT-BS40 (Alternate: ROP-BS-40)
ReefLabsConnection Diameter Interface: 40mm Metric Slip-Fit
Material Composition: Injection-Molded High-Impact Black ABS
Primary Function: Mechanical Bubble Diffusion & Intake Strain Guard
- Turn off your hang-on-back protein skimmer pump to pause all water movement through the plumbing lines.
- Locate the 40mm downpipe or inlet line where water enters or exits back over your aquarium rim.
- If using as an output bubble trap, slide your pre-washed 40mm open-cell diffuser sponge over the slotted core of the bubble stopper basket.
- Align the smooth, non-slotted collar of the 40mm Bubble Stopper with the raw end of your skimmer's plumbing pipe.
- Push the basket firmly upward or inward using a steady, straight motion until the friction-lock connection holds tightly against the pipe wall.
- Re-engage power to your skimmer pump, check the water path to ensure water flows smoothly through the vents, and confirm that micro-bubbles are being managed.
Pro Tips:
- Give New Skimmers Time to Break In. If you have just installed a brand-new hang-on skimmer, it will naturally throw a high volume of micro-bubbles for the first 7 to 14 days due to manufacturing oils on the acrylic. While this 40mm Bubble Stopper helps catch those bubbles immediately, do not panic if some still sneak past early on. Once the skimmer forms a natural organic slime coat, the bubble storm will stop completely, and the basket will trap any remaining bubbles.
- Rinse the Internal Foam Regularly. If you are running an open-cell foam insert inside your 40mm bubble basket on an output line, make it a habit to slide the basket off and squeeze the foam out in warm fresh water every single week. Because this component sits at the final exit gate of your filtration loop, it acts as a mechanical trap for fine debris and organic slime. If left uncleaned, detritus will clog the foam pores, creating backpressure that can cause your skimmer to overflow its collection cup.
- Avoid Splicing or Gluing. This basket is engineered as a temporary friction slip-fit part for a reason. Never use PVC cement, superglue, or heavy silicone to permanently bind the bubble stopper to your skimmer's output line. Permanently gluing it in place prevents you from taking the assembly apart for routine sponge cleanings or vent scrub-downs, forcing you to replace the entire plumbing run down the road.